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Tawanda Matanhire Arts Correspondent
Zimbabwe Applied Arts and Craft Association launched a dialogue under the theme “Crafts and applied arts subsector in Zimbabwe; proposed strategies and policies to grow the crafts and applied arts sub sector” at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe on Monday.
ZAACA is an association of craft producers who came together in January 2010 with a vision of addressing challenges faced by practicing craft producers such as marginalisation, poverty, lack of skills and training.
Their objective is commissioning studies to identify major factors affecting their sub-sector.
ZAACA’s membership include many producers who create diverse craft ranging from basketry, batik, tie and die fabric, jewelry, sculpture, leatherwear, beads as well as a host of useful products from recycled materials.
Chairman of ZAACA John Custom said that craft producers in the country face a negative attitude from stakeholders and therefore they are in a bid to improve their sector to attract appreciation from all players and interested parties.
“The idea to form ZAACA came about due to lukewarm reception and attitude that craft producers were getting from stakeholders ZAACA is the voice of the craft sector because it seeks to engage diverse stakeholders on their behalf,” Custom said.
Custom urged crafters who attended the launch to participate in the dialogue which will be running at particular intervals throughout the year to use research based evidence in their discussions so that the plight of hundreds unrecognised crafters will be put to light.
Amongst the delegates was legendary playwright Steven Chifunyise who said that he was glad to see crafters come together to safeguard their sector even for the future generations.
Crafters are amongst the country`s GDP significant contributors because they sell their wares to tourists as well as exporting to other countries especially Europe where the demand is high but they are counted amongst the poorest people in the country.
ZAACA has also engaged ongoing outreach programmes to identify craft producers nationally in line with their mission.
People who attended the launch were crafters from Mutare, Masvingo, Bulawayo, Lupane and Mhondoro amongst other areas who some of them were involved in training programmes to facilitate the smooth running of ZAACA.
Online Reporter